Project: An integrated clinical and scientific approach for craniofacial malformations

Craniofacial malformations affecting head and face can result in severe functional, esthetical, and social consequences for affected individuals. During the first funding period, CRANIRARE ascertained and clinically characterized a substantial number of patients with various craniofacial malformations, which enabled us to standardize clinical classifications, molecular diagnosis, and genetic counselling for these disorders. We successfully identified 18 novel causative genes for 13 different craniofacial disorders and elucidated new conserved molecular pathways important for biological processes of craniofacial development. Relying on the established CRANIRARE infrastructure, we now aim to extend our work and include 15 additional craniofacial phenotypes, to identify the causative genes, and to investigate conserved molecular pathways of identified proteins in cellular systems and zebrafish model. An innovative “next generation sequencing education platform” will be established aiming to improve transfer of knowledge and education on this high-end technology. We will translate our molecular findings into the establishment of new molecular diagnostic tests by the use of e.g. next generation sequencing and design new therapeutic options based on our novel insights into altered molecular pathways involved in craniofacial malformations. Different innovative dissemination activities are planned and the partners will educate young scientists and medical doctors during our CRANIRARE Summer School, which will further increase the sustained yield of the proposed CRANIRARE project.

Acronym	CRANIRARE**
Project Topic	3rd JOINT CALL FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS ON RARE DISEASES (2011)
Network	E-Rare-2
Call	3rd Joint Call for Research Projects on Rare Diseases

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	University of Cologne	Coordinator	Germany
2	University Paris	Partner	France
3	Hacettepe University, Medical Faculty	Partner	Türkiye
4	Istanbul University, Medical Faculty	Partner	Türkiye
5	University Duisburg-Essen	Partner	Germany